In the last two years, the number of children who have had restrictions placed on their freedom has tripled in England and Wales. This includes Deprivation of Liberty orders, which are being increasingly used to detain children in situations where appropriate accommodation cannot be found.

Many survivors of child sex abuse are continuing to have their compensation entitlements through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) reduced as a result of their unspent convictions, a system coined ‘grossly unfair’ by campaigners.

​The review on Legal Aid has restarted following a pause induced by the impact of COVID-19. Justice Minister, Alex Chalk, informed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid that the review has re-commenced with a plan to publish findings in Spring 2021.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital have described the rise in child abuse cases during lockdown as a ‘silent pandemic’, as the number of new cases at its head trauma unit has risen by 1,493% compared with the previous three years.

​A police inquiry has been launched at Shrewsbury & Telford Trust following what has been coined the UK’s ‘worst baby ward scandal’. Detectives are investigating 1,250 cases dating back to the 1970s, as dozens of newborns unnecessarily died or suffered brain damage.

Children’s Minister, Vicky Ford, has failed to address serious concerns raised by Become, the national charity for children in respect of the emergency measures implemented at the start of lockdown.

Natalie Marrison, Head of Ramsdens Abuse team hosted a webinar to 60 Care Practioners across the country. She was joined with Barrister Richard Copnall from Parklane Plowden where they discussed breach of duty “red flags” within Care Proceedings.

The NSPCC have issued warning for households to be extra vigilant with regard to online child abuse during the current Coronavirus pandemic we have found ourselves in.